A play set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles has won three Olivier Awards.

The Ferryman won Best New Play, Best Director and Best Actress at the glamorous ceremony in London on Sunday night.

The play is set in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles, in 1981. Carney family patriarch Quinn has long ago walked away from the IRA for life as a farmer with his wife and seven kids. Since the disappearance of his brother 10 years ago, his sister-in-law Caitlin lives with them too along with her son.

Jez Butterworth’s Northern Irish drama won best new play and best director for Sam Mendes, while Laura Donnelly was named best actress.

Butterworth wrote The Ferryman based on the experiences of his Donnelly's family in Northern Ireland.

After picking up her own award, Donnelly - who played widow Caitlin in the original production - said: "I'm thrilled - but I'm in shock. It's what I dreamt of from childhood so to get to this point is surreal."

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It equals Matilda's 2012 record for most Olivier Awards won by a musical.

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